Fresh Start Academies - National initiative
Fresh Start: Academies
The drive to get more new entrants into the farming industry is being given a continuing boost, nationally, with the establishment of a network of more than 15 Fresh Start Academies either launched or in the planning stage. Eventually it is hoped that there will be Academies in every region of England. Most recently Academies have been formed in Dorset and Devon.
The Cornwall Fresh Start Scheme has been dedicated to providing a range of support mechanisms to help new entrants establish successful farm businesses. The scheme will now hope to work closely with formalised Academies to enhance the service it can provide in the future.
From day one, Fresh Start has worked to portray the farming industry as dynamic and modern in its outlook, full of interest and variety and high on job satisfaction. It emphasises that agriculture can offer relevant, fulfilling roles for scientists, mechanics and marketers, practical environmentalists and those with a real interest in crops and livestock.
Fresh Start acknowledges that there is another side to recruitment in agriculture, particularly where practical farming is concerned. To bring in a new farmer, quite often an established operator needs to stand aside or embrace a relationship with the new entrant whether he or she is part of family succession or a potential share, contract or joint venture farmer.
Fresh Start is working with industry professionals – rural surveyors, lawyers and accountants – to identify opportunities for joint venture, share and contract farming that brings new entrants together with retiring farmers so that each can support the other to provide the sort of future that both want to achieve. The Fresh Start Academy is a ground-breaking initiative to help new entrants find openings in the farm industry. It involves three elements – business skills training and mentoring, with the possibility of identifying business partners via a matchmaking network.
For more details about the national initiative contact Steve Lindsay – National Project Manager – Fresh Start on 07775 544344 or at ordosteve@btinternet.com
The Fresh Start web pages are hosted by DEFRA – See:- www.defra.gov.uk/farm/working/new-entrants